Marysville City Cemetery

Autumn Clean Up Work Party

November 3rd, 2007

We wish to extend a big YubaRoots THANK YOU to the following sponsors & contributors supporting this event:  Union Lumber, AM 1600 KUBA, Comcast Channel 19, Appeal-Democrat, Territorial Dispatch, Kathy Smith co-author of upcoming book on Smartsville/Timbuctoo, Donna Borrell and the Sutter Buttes Garden Club, Yuba Sutter Disposal Inc., Friends for the Preservation of Yuba County History, Coca Cola, City of Marysville Public Works.

On this beautiful sunny day, with the hard work of over twenty volunteers, weeds were cleared, leaves raked and removed, trees and shrubs pruned.  A morning snack and lunch were provided to all volunteers to help keep their stamina up and as a way to say thanks for helping!  We wish to thank the following for joining in this community effort - Leroy, Kara, James, Kim, Hannah, Lori, Rick, Barbara, Lisa, Keenan, Ali, Kelly, Buck, Cheryll, Tony, Aaron, Misna, Jon, Joan, Stephenie, Faith and Brett.

The greater part of one section of the cemetery was cleared of weeds and leaves.  The end result was not only aesthetically pleasing, but everyone seemed to enjoy what they were doing.  From this event, plots were adopted, information and photos shared with us about one of the pioneer families buried here, and everyone learned a little bit more about the resting place of so many early families that helped shape the community in which we now live.

Since the early 1990's, when the Marysville City Cemetery Commission was formed, there have been many efforts by individuals and groups to help restore and preserve this historic site.  Weeds taller than most humans have been removed, roadways have become visible again, signs placed for street names on roadways and paths, a new entrance erected and wrought iron fencing installed, flowers and shrubs planted and cared for, plots adopted, numbered markers identifying unmarked graves found and brought to the surface, new stones placed and others repaired, sprinklers and faucets are in working order, and more. 

Since the cemetery's closure in 1929 due to no further plots to be sold, there is a lack of direct incoming funds to support City funded projects for this site.  The City of Marysville Public Works has maintained a sprinkler system, electricity for lighting, mowing, weedeating, spraying for weeds, repair of fences and other necessary maintenance.  The City, in conjunction with the Marysville City Cemetery Commission, have whole-heartedly supported volunteer efforts. To assist the City, YubaRoots wishes to help recruit volunteers and generate funds for projects.

The annual event, Tales of the Crypt, by the Friends for the Preservation of Yuba County has brought a multitude of persons to this site to learn about early pioneers buried here, sharing history of the cemetery and Marysville, and provide a means for people to learn more about how to get involved.

With all of these incredible efforts, there are numerous projects yet to be done.  We have the opportunity - as a community - to take this hard work one step further by helping out with many more projects and continue taking the progress forward.  I have researched and formulated a 20 year sustainable plan, which will not only keep the overall grounds from deteriorating at the same rate, but also take it a step further in bringing it back to the peaceful and respectful place it can be by enhancing the grounds.  In the past, this cemetery was like many historic cemeteries, and had a park-like setting.  With the community joining together, our efforts will also help reduce vandalism.  It's a proven fact!

How can you help?  Whether it's time, materials or monetary donations, every single one will add to the overall outcome.  Individuals and groups are both necessary for us all to help preserve this valuable historic and cultural resource.

        Probing for markers:  This entails inserting a metal probe in the ground every few inches to ascertain if there is a numbered marker buried under the silt from previous floods. This is a vital role in our attempts to identify all unmarked graves so that they can later have headstones or other identification placed on them. An Eagle Scout candidate adopted the Japanese plot this past Spring and 16 previously unidentified graves are now identified, plus 3 headstones recovered.  Descendants will now know the location of their ancestor because of this important work.  Many others have been uncovered from probing in various areas of the cemetery.

      Adopting a plot:  This involves probing first, then working to restore the plot with brick work, submit landscaping ideas, etc.

      Yardwork:  Raking leaves, trimming bushes/branches, general clean up

      Laying brick:  We have a lot of old brick that is broken in pieces.  We would like to use that to make attractive walkways on the grounds.  This would be leveling ground, placing brick pieces, then using sand or quikcrete to secure the bricks in place.  There are also many plots that need brickwork redone or re-enforced.

     Woodworking:  If you are skilled with woodworking, we can always use benches around the grounds for people to rest on.  We also need forms made and letter/number blocks to create simple upright concrete headstones - a sample of one is on the grounds at this time.

      Research:  I have been researching this cemetery extensively for the past seven years, and could use your help -  documenting their lives, confirming burial locations, writing up information sheets for family plots, finding location for piles of broken headstone pieces, compiling necessary data to order in military headstones for veterans with unmarked graves, seeking out photos and family information on burials as well as photos of the cemetery in past years.

      Materials:  Old red brick, mortar, gardening tools (rakes, shovels, hoes, gas weed-eaters, garden forks, large manure or leaf shovels for scooping up leaves, collapsible leaf bag holders, garden pruners and shears, work gloves, hoses), concrete, thick plywood, rebar, wooden pallets.

      Funds:  All of the funds (100%) donated to YubaRoots toward the cemetery will be put back into the cemetery, and are tax deductible.  Monies will be used toward the materials and projects listed above, as well as toward educating the public about the cemetery and the 8,000 persons buried on its grounds.

      Possible future projects in the planning stages include: Coordinating and placing headstones and markers for an "adopt a marker" program.  (With so many unmarked graves, YubaRoots would like to help identify and mark as many burial sites as possible.)  Headstones in many pieces to be placed in raised concrete bases to protect and secure in place.  Secure unstable monuments with brick bases by repositioning and re-enforcing the bases.

YubaRoots - P. O. Box 5947 - Marysville, CA  95901